Monday, September 26, 2016

Mayor Rich David Delivers First Residential Tax Cut Since 1998

Press & Sun-Bulletin (BINGHAMTON, N.Y.) — Binghamton Mayor Rich David released a 2017 budget on Tuesday evening containing reduced tax rates for commercial and residential property owners.
Saying that he refused to “balance City Hall’s budget on the backs of homeowners and businesses,” David unveiled a $92.1 million budget that includes a proposed 0.25 percent residential tax decrease — the first residential tax decrease since 1998 — and a 0.84 percent commercial tax decrease.
“While this residential tax cut is slight, it’s a message to Binghamton homeowners that we’ve heard your cries for tax relief,” David said. The decline is 6 cents for each $1,000 in assessment.
For a home assessed at $80,000, taxes will decrease by $4.80 to $1,870.40.
The reduction in commercial taxes, now in a second consecutive year, is a sign that the city is open for business, David added.
Businesses will see a decrease of 36 cents in taxes per $1,000 of assessed value.
The 2016 budget totaled $90.4 million and included a 0.4 percent increase in residential taxes and a 0.01 percent decrease in commercial taxes.
Last year's commercial tax decrease marked the first time since 1999 that the city had decreased the commercial rate.
Despite the tax decreases, the 2017 budget proposes a $1.7 million increase in the city’s general fund expenses.
The city will also reduce debt by $700,000 under the proposed budget, and by the end of 2016, will have $17.5 million in its reserve funds. That’s nearly twice the amount the city had in 2014.
Decreased taxes and increased savings and spending will come in part from money saved on the city’s street lighting bill and increased revenue from upcoming parking kiosks, David said. Newly installed LED street lights trimmed the city's utility costs by about $400,000 a year, a 60 percent decline in the lighting costs.
Among the other revenues in the budget is a $1.8 million in Community Black Grant Funds.
On the expenditure side, roughly a quarter of the budget — $22.2 million — will go to public safety, which includes the city's police and fire departments. The city will also spend $6.7 million on employee pensions and $5.6 million on street reconstruction.
David received two standing ovations during the speech, and City Council members expressed support for the general numbers presented on Tuesday evening.
The less than one percent decreases in residential and commercial taxes may not seem like much, said City Councilman Conrad Taylor, D-4th District, but they send a clear sign that the city is interested in fostering business and attracting more residents.
"It's the first time that I've been on City Council where we've had a tax cut to both commercial and residential taxes," said City Council President Chris Papastrat, R-5th District. "It seems like (Mayor David) has gone through it with a fine-toothed comb."
City Council will have until Oct. 30 to make changes to the proposed budget, and Mayor David will have until Nov. 6 to veto any of those changes.
City Council then has until Nov. 20 to override a potential veto

Monday, February 22, 2016

Broome County Republican Women’s Club Announce $500 Scholarship Competition for Broome County High School Seniors

(Binghamton, NY) The Broome County Republican Women’s Club is now accepting scholarship applications from area high school seniors living in Broome County. The $500 June B. Harding Memorial Scholarship is open to area high school students, including home schooled seniors, looking to attend either a two-year or a four-year college institution.

Applications are now available by contacting local high school guidance counselors or by mail by sending a letter of request to:
BCRWC Scholarship Committee
C/o Ms. Pat Curran
235 Harry L Drive, Apt. 113
Johnson City, NY 13790

Students are required to fill out a short application and write at least a 200-word essay on “What My American Citizenship Means to Me”. Completed applications and essays are due and must be post marked no later than Friday, March 18, 2016.
The winning applicant and their parents are invited to attend the club’s June 9, 2016 monthly dinner meeting to share their essay with club members and patrons.

For more information, please contact Pat Curran, Chair, BCRWC Scholarship Committee at (607) 729-8779 or (607) 240-7329 and by e-mail at quilterpc13760@yahoo.com

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Broome County Republican Women’s Club Host Naima Kradjian at Outreach Meeting

(Binghamton, NY) The Broome County Republican Women’s Club will hold their monthly meeting on February 11, 2016 at the Relief Pitcher, 197 Conklin Avenue, Binghamton, NY 13904.  The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with social time followed by a buffet dinner at 6:00 p.m. and guest speaker Ms. Naima Kradjian at 7:00 p.m.
 
Naima Kradjian is the CEO of The Goodwill Theatre, Inc. a non-profit that is creating a multistage performing arts complex that, when complete, will house a professional apprentice style-training academy with a strong focus on the design fields and new work.  Naima performed Off-Broadway and in several regional theaters.  During her time in Manhattan, she appeared on the soap opera All My Children for 5 years (as gossip columnist Audrey Wilson), in national commercials, and her one-woman cabaret act.  Naima holds a B.F.A. degree in Performance and Theatre History from the University of Florida and attended Penn State University’s M.F.A. program.  Please join us and hear how Naima has brought her education, talent, and boundless energy to the Broome County’s Arts community.
 
The cost of the buffet dinner is $19.00 featuring delicious chicken spiedies, baked beans, soup, salad, coffee, tea, and soda. 
 
The Broome County Republican Women’s Club offers annual memberships starting at $25.00 and annual Patron/Associate (non-voting) membership for $10.00 through 12/31/16.

For more information on this event, club membership, and to make dinner reservations, please call Sharon Exley, President, at (607) 427-2831.  

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Broome Republicans Seek Candidates to Fill Vacant County Legislative Seat

(Binghamton, NY) The Broome County Republican Committee today announced that it is seeking candidates for the newly vacant 10th District seat on the County Legislature. The vacancy occurred with the recent resignation by Jerry Marinich, who accepted an appointment in County Executive Debbie Preston’s Administration.

As required by the County Charter and Code, the County Legislature will appoint a replacement who resides in the District and who is registered in the same political party as the previous Legislator. The 10th District encompasses all of the Town of Chenango and the Hillcrest area in the Town of Fenton (a full map of the District is available at http://www.bcgis.com/website/gisweb/maps/Legislature/LD10.pdf).

“We’re looking to fill this seat with a service-minded individual who wants to make a difference and give something back to our community,” said Broome County Republican Chairman Bijoy Datta, who also resides in the District. “We look forward to reviewing candidates to carry on the good work of the Republican Majority Caucus and County Executive Debbie Preston.”

“The Broome County Legislature needs people committed to revitalizing our local economy and who understand the importance of advocating for taxpayers,” said Broome County Legislative Chairman Dan J. Reynolds. “The district has been well represented for a number of years on the Legislature and I know we'll find a great advocate to continue that tradition. I look forward to working with the Chairman and other individuals in the district to find a quality candidate that will work hard for residents.”

Any registered Republican that resides in District 10 and is interested in being considered may send a cover letter and resume to Bijoy@BroomeRepublicans.com or: Bijoy Datta, Broome County Republican Committee, 59 Court Street, Room 707, Binghamton, NY 13901.

In order to be considered, requests must be received by January 16, 2016.

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